CN102354092A - Holder to securely hold an object during the thermal imaging processing period - Google Patents
Holder to securely hold an object during the thermal imaging processing period Download PDFInfo
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- CN102354092A CN102354092A CN2011103283206A CN201110328320A CN102354092A CN 102354092 A CN102354092 A CN 102354092A CN 2011103283206 A CN2011103283206 A CN 2011103283206A CN 201110328320 A CN201110328320 A CN 201110328320A CN 102354092 A CN102354092 A CN 102354092A
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2007—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using radiant heat, e.g. infrared lamps, microwave heaters
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
- G03G15/34—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 in which the powder image is formed directly on the recording material, e.g. by using a liquid toner
- G03G15/342—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 in which the powder image is formed directly on the recording material, e.g. by using a liquid toner by forming a uniform powder layer and then removing the non-image areas
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Decoration By Transfer Pictures (AREA)
- Electrostatic Separation (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
- Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
- Electrophotography Using Other Than Carlson'S Method (AREA)
- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
Abstract
The invention discloses a holder to securely hold an object during the thermal imaging processing period. The holder comprises a conductive contact portion adapted to be in contact with the object and a conductive shield disposed around the contact portion and electrically isolated from the contact portion and from the object, wherein the conductive shield is adapted to be biased with a voltage of a first polarity, and the object is adapted to be biased with a voltage of an opposite polarity.
Description
The application of this division is based on that Chinese invention patent application number 200780024028.7 (international application no PCT/US2007/068676), denomination of invention " utilize powder on article, width of cloth material or tablet, to produce image ", the dividing an application of the patented claim in May 10 2007 applying date.
Technical field
The present invention relates to utilize powder on food, mobile width of cloth material or tablet and other article, to produce image, particularly relate to the device that during thermal imaging is handled, keeps article securely.
Background technology
Sometimes need use image tagged article, width of cloth material or tablet.Though packing can comprise various information, product mark, decoration, advertisement or the marketing information of on product or article, directly marking and can provide additional.Because the material of plate-like form through being usually used in packing or process the product that need comprise various different information, directly being marked on board-like material additional product mark, decoration, advertisement or marketing information just can be provided.Flaky material is used to convey a message, thereby also need on such tablet, directly mark.
Be used to apply or several technology of the dissimilar substrates of mark are known.Electrostatic processes has been represented one group of this technology.For example, in reprographics industry, utilize two kinds of elementary processing and a kind of processing based on powder to produce image sometimes based on liquid.This method both can be used for the one-component toning system and also can be used for two component imaging systems.In the two component toning systems of dry type, can use for example support powder and imaging powder (for example known toner).Carrier typically is repeated to use in system; And according to the quantity of the material that is used for producing image, the imaging powder can be exhausted, and can be from reservoir or other source replenishment imaging powder again.
The particular type of this method comprises the laser printing technology that transfers images to the relatively flat surface.Current approach is then very complicated, uses seven treatment steps altogether.And these methods can not be used for directly substrate of mark temperature-sensitive or non-planar surfaces, and the mark powder of usefulness of these methods wastes.
Summary of the invention
The invention provides a kind of device that during thermal imaging is handled, keeps article securely, this device comprises: be suitable for and the contacted conduction contact part of said article; And around said contact portion setting and with the said contact portion and the conductive shields of isolating with said article electricity, wherein, utilize the voltage of first polarity that said conductive shields is applied bias voltage, and utilize the voltage of opposite polarity that said article are applied bias voltage.
Preferably, said contact portion comprises the securing member of mechanical conductive.
Preferably, the securing member of said mechanical conductive comprises bolt.
Preferably, the securing member of said mechanical conductive comprises anchor clamps.
Preferably, said contact portion comprises conductive elastomer.
Said device also comprises pipe, and said pipe is applied in vacuum, so that said article are held in place with respect to said contact portion.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of method of utilizing powder directly on article, width of cloth material or tablet, to make marks, this method comprise article, width of cloth material or tablet are moved to first workstation, second workstation and the 3rd workstation.This method be included in set up electric field between article, width of cloth material or tablet and first workstation and at the first workstation place by means of electric field with the charged powder static printing or be applied on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.Become fusing of image ground or sintering on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet at the second workstation place powder.At the 3rd workstation place with the not fusing of powder or not sintering part remove from the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.
This technology is used in and produces monochromatic mark or multi-color marking on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.If the generation multi-color marking, article, width of cloth material or tablet can be moved to many group workstations, and every group of workstation comprises powder transfer workstation, imaging workstation and powder removal station.Also can there be other workstation.
Through being set, the retainer or the transfer system that can keep article, width of cloth material or tablet securely control article, width of cloth material or tablet position, up to accomplishing imaging with respect to each workstation.Can there be various characteristic in certain embodiments.For example, in a specific embodiment,, can use article machanical fastener, instrument or vacuum to come to keep article when moving to each workstation through retainer.Retainer can comprise the contact portion that is suitable for electrically contacting with article and around the article setting and the conductive shields of isolating with the article electricity.Utilize the voltage of first polarity that conductive shields is applied bias voltage, contact portion is suitable for utilizing the voltage of opposite polarity that article are applied bias voltage, and the powder transfer workstation is suitable for utilizing the voltage electricity of first polarity that powder is applied bias voltage.Conductive shields can apply bias voltage with respect to the article setting and to conductive shields, limits with the zone on the article that powder is transferred at powder transfer workstation place.For example, conductive shields can and be applied in electrical bias with respect to the article setting, so that the electric field that produces stops powder to be transferred to the back side or the side of article.
In a further embodiment, mechanical maintenance system is not preferred, and the contact portion of retainer can comprise for example conductive elastomer corrugated tube.Retainer can comprise the pipe that is applied in vacuum, so that article are firmly held in place with respect to the conductive elastomer corrugated tube.
In a further embodiment, board-like material or flaky material are firmly held and move in turn powder transfer workstation, imaging workstation and powder removal station.Between width of cloth material or tablet and powder transfer workstation, set up electric field, so that width of cloth material or tablet are by powder coated.Cylinder that can be through will being applied in bias voltage or plate are arranged to closely contact and be positioned on the side relative with powder removal station with width of cloth material or tablet produce electric field.Charged powder is transferred on the surface of width of cloth material or tablet at powder transfer workstation place.Then, adopt imaging workstation to make the image fixing in this powder bed on width of cloth material or tablet, and last, adopt powder removal station to remove the powder that is not used to form images, thereby final image is retained on width of cloth material or the tablet.
In another embodiment, article, width of cloth material or tablet conduct electricity insufficient or too thick for the electrical bias that will utilize, and just can not between article, width of cloth material or tablet and powder transfer workstation, produce electric field.In this embodiment, can move to the cylinder that utilize corona before the powder transfer workstation or apply bias voltage at article, width of cloth material or tablet and on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, produce electrostatic charge.
The powder transfer workstation can comprise and is used for making in turn the powder that the has electrostatic charge parts near the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, so that powder is subjected to electric field effects and moves on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.Can be through all or part of electrical bias that applies of powder transfer workstation being realized this electric field with respect to article, width of cloth material or tablet.
Workstation also can comprise and be used for replenishing powder and be used for the parts to the powder static electricity charging that replenishes.Can by means of but be not limited to corona parts or frictional electricity parts for example surf zone contact and carry out the powder charging.The powder transfer workstation can through but be not limited to machinery, gravity, fluid, magnetic, static or air or gaseous tension system make the surface of powder and article, width of cloth material or tablet close.
Imaging workstation can comprise laser instrument or diode; So that the local melting or the sintering of powder to be provided on article, width of cloth material or tablet, and this laser instrument or diode be suitable for scanning, modulate and focus on from laser instrument or diode with the mode that becomes image light beam through the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.Article, width of cloth material or tablet can be static during image produces or move.In one embodiment, article, width of cloth material or tablet move during image produces, and are provided with action and the speed of article, width of cloth material or tablet and/or the parts of position synchronous that make laser instrument or diode.
After accomplishing imaging, powder removal station can use combination static, machinery, liquid, positive pressurization gas or vacuum or these means to come to remove too much powder from the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.
In a specific embodiment, powder removal station has along a pair of cylinder of opposite directions rotation.Cylinder can comprise hairbrush, so that the surface of on-plane surface article can physically contact with the powder removal system.Hairbrush can comprise for example compositing conducting fiber.Can utilization and the opposite polarity voltage of article, width of cloth material or tablet cylinder is applied bias voltage, remove the not fusing of powder or sintering part not with surface from article, width of cloth material or tablet.
In optional embodiment; Cylinder is biased and powder on the cylinder is contacted or near the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet with the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, removes the not fusing of powder or sintering part not with the surface from article, width of cloth material or tablet.In this embodiment, the polarity of the powder on the cylinder can be opposite with the polarity of article, width of cloth material or the lip-deep powder of tablet.
From the not fusing of the powder of powder removal station or the sintering part can recycle, utilize being repeated at the powder removal station place.
Various advantages have been represented in certain embodiments.The position that these advantages include but not limited on non-planar surfaces, to produce colored with monochromatic image and control this image; On the temperature-sensitive surface that can not otherwise accept based on the image of powder smelting, to produce image; And created the number that is simple and easy to also having reduced treatment step significantly and formed imaging system, reduced the cost and the complicacy of said imaging system and method thus based on the image of powder smelting.Other advantage comprises can reuse the powder that before has been applied to the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, has reduced the Master Cost of powder imaging system thus.Examples of applications can include but not limited to use powder for example for example for example for example to produce image on the control panel on the disposable diaper big envelope or at sheet metal on the car model or at plastic sheeting on the preserved fruit of sugared shell and at toy on the surface of confectionary products.
Description of drawings
According to following instructions, accompanying drawing and claim, it is very clear that further feature and advantage will become.
Fig. 1 representes to utilize static to be applied to powder on the article and on article surface, produces the device of image.
Figure 1A representes to utilize static to be applied to powder on continuous width of cloth material or the tablet and on the surface of width of cloth material or tablet, produces the device of image.
Fig. 2 representes when article move to each workstation during imaging processing, uses machine tool to come to keep securely the example of the retainer of article.
Fig. 2 A representes when article move to each workstation during imaging processing, uses vacuum to keep the retainer of article securely.
Fig. 3 representes the details according to the powder transfer workstation of specific embodiment.
Fig. 4 representes to be used for to remove from the surface of article not fusing or the not example that removes workstation of sintered powder.
Fig. 5 is to use powder on the surface of article, to produce the block scheme of the device of multicolor image.
Embodiment
Fig. 1 representes to utilize static that powder is applied to (for example on the surface of article) on the article and produces the device of image.This device can be used to go up at various three-dimensional article (comprise have bending, the article of ladder, inclination angle or flat surfaces) and forms coating or produce image.The example of such article can include, but not limited to be used for human consumption's sweet goods, the food (for example dog bone) that is used for animal consumption or non-edible article (for example miniatures toy car) and handle article (for example disposable diaper big envelope).
As shown in Figure 1, this device can comprise: the retainer 21 that is used for keeping securely utilizing the article 22 that powder marks; Be suitable for utilizing static with the powder transfer workstation 31 of powder transfer to the surface of article; The imaging workstation 13 that comprises energy source 12 is used for optionally melting the lip-deep powder of article; Powder removal station 41, be used for the not fusing of powder or not sintering part remove from the surface of article; And forwarder 11, be used for when article are held the device maintenance, article 22 being sent to powder transfer workstation, imaging workstation and powder removal station in turn.In some applications, need this device of structure, so that a plurality of article move to above-mentioned workstation in turn with two-forty,, use each article powder on these article, to apply or produce image simultaneously when sequentially moving to workstation 31,13 and 41.
At first workstation 31, powder is electrostatically transferred on the surface of this candy or other article 22 when candy or other article 22 are held.Article 22 preferably are retained to be between the article surface that will apply and the powder source at first workstation sets up electric field.This can be for example voltage through adopting first polarity apply bias voltage to the powder transfer workstation and with the voltage that adopts opposite polarity article are applied bias voltage and realize.The shell 23 of for example conductive shields that is used for the retainer 21 of article should be isolated with article electricity and applied electrical bias with respect to article, so that it is not by powder coated.
Figure 1A representes to utilize static powder to be applied to the device of the flat surfaces of width of cloth material or tablet 16.This device can be used at the various tabular or last image that produces of flaky material (including but not limited to metal, timber, paper and plastics).Shown in Figure 1A, this device comprises: powder transfer workstation 31 is used for powder static electricity is transferred to the surface of width of cloth material or tablet; The imaging workstation 13 that comprises energy source 12 is used for optionally melting width of cloth material or the lip-deep powder of tablet; Powder removal station 41, be used for the not fusing of powder or not sintering part remove from the surface of width of cloth material or tablet; And forwarder 14, be used for keeping securely width of cloth material or tablet and make width of cloth material or tablet move to powder transfer workstation, imaging workstation and powder removal station in turn.As shown in the figure, width of cloth material or tablet 16 move through this device from right to left by means of conveying roller 14.For example vacuum feeder, belt, chain or sprocket wheel move width of cloth material or tablet also can to adopt other transfer member.Bias voltage is applied on width of cloth material or the tablet, thereby between width of cloth material or tablet and powder transfer workstation 31, sets up electric field.For nonconducting tabular or flaky material, bias voltage can be applied on the conducting element 15 of far-end contact of width of cloth material relative or tablet with powder transfer workstation 31.Conducting element 15 can be for example tabular, cylinder shape or boots shape.Powder coating optionally is melted at imaging workstation 13 places, and unnecessary powder at powder removal station 41 places by being removed from width of cloth material or tablet, thereby on width of cloth material or tablet, stay final image 17.
Fig. 2 representes when article 22 move to workstation 31,13 and 41 during imaging processing, uses retainer 21 to keep the example of article 22 securely.Retainer 21 has and is suitable for the contact portion 27 that contacts with article.Contact portion can be the securing member for example bolt or the anchor clamps of mechanical conductive, so that in good contact of guaranteeing with article, apply bias voltage.Conductive shields 23 is isolated around article 22 settings and with article 22 electricity.Conductive shields 23 can be arranged to powder is limited the zone on the article 22 that are transferred to respect to article 22.For example, conductive shields can be oriented to stop powder to be transferred to the back side or the side of article.In order to control coated zone and to prevent guard shield 23, utilize first polar voltages that guard shield is applied bias voltage and utilize the voltage of opposite polarity that article 22 are applied bias voltage by powder coated.
Fig. 2 A representes when article 22 move to workstation 31,13 and 41 during imaging processing, uses vacuum to keep the example of the retainer 21 of article 22 securely.Retainer 21 has and is suitable for the contact portion 25 that contacts with article.Contact portion can comprise soft conductive elastomer, so that in good contact of guaranteeing with article, apply electric field.The pipe 24 that is applied in vacuum 26 can make article be held in place with respect to contact portion 25, moves with respect to retainer to stop article.
The imaging powder can comprise thermoplasticity or thermosetting polymkeric substance and can comprise functional agent.Functional agent can be colorant, flavorant, biologically active agent, metal, pottery, image induction agent or other active material.Polymkeric substance can provide the medium that comprises functional agent, is used to form electrostatic charge, or is used to melt the lip-deep toner of article.Need use the lower condensate of vitreum transition temperature when on food, forming image, to avoid during melt processed, the making food product fusing.In embodiment with some high temperature functional material, powder can not melt but can with the substrate surface sintering together and be sintered on the substrate surface, to form image.
Except condensate and functional agent, powder selectively comprises one or more charge control additive, cured matter adjuvant, plasticizer, filling agent or thinning agent or surface additive.
Charge control additive can strengthen the size and the speed of frictional electricity, and can assist in ensuring that for a long time electrostatic charging stably.The dispersing characteristic that cured matter adjuvant can help to improve the fusing of powder or melt the composition in flow state and the toner.Plasticizer can reduce the vitreum transition temperature (Tg) of thermoplastic polymer significantly, makes its submissiveer and processing more easily.Can reduce the component of filling agent or thinning agent adding powder resulting cost and can strengthen capacity.It also can be used as the flow characteristics that matting agent used or influenced powder.
Can adopt average particle size at several microns imaging powder to about 100 micrometer ranges in the method.In a preferred embodiment, possibly use average particle size at five microns powder to about 40 micrometer ranges.
Can adopt the imaging powder of any color in the method.For plurality of applications, in imaging workstation, can adopt the CO2 laser instrument to melt the powder of any color.And, need to use laser diode or fiber laser for some application, especially when paying close attention to cost, size and speed.The powder of some colors (for example colourless, yellow, carmetta, some blue-green, blueness and redness) will can not absorb the wavelength from the light beam of laser diode or fiber laser.Need in powder, add in this case and absorb ultrared material.
Provide an imaging powder that is used for the functions of use agent of specific purpose on food product, to generate the example of image at this.For food product, need powder to form by the composition of food-grade basically.Powder can comprise for example thermoplastic polymer and colorant and one or more charge control additive, cured matter adjuvant, plasticizer, filling agent or thinning agent or surface additive.The special example of food grade powder, the name of on May 10th, 2007 application has been described in being called the PCT patented claim of " food-grade toner " (attorney piece number sign indicating number is 21175-003WO1).The disclosed content of this application is incorporated at this by reference.
Can make imaging powder and mangneto activate powder (carrier also promptly) mechanically mixes to form developer mixture.In this method, the effect of carrier is to make the imaging powder have static, and smaller imaging powder particle is attached on the bigger carrier granular.This just makes it possible to be sent to the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet by electrostatic force and the electromagnetic force powder that will form images.This imaging powder and carrier should be mixed, to be used in static characteristic and other characteristic optimization with imaging system that apply of specific imaging powder.
Fig. 3 has represented the further details according to the powder transfer workstation 31 of specific embodiment, and this powder transfer workstation 31 comprises cylinder 33, and this cylinder 33 has around the metal shell of magnetic core 34.In this embodiment, magnetic core can rotate, and shell is static.The bottom of cylinder 33 is immersed in the developer mixture 36 that is accommodated in the reservoir 32.When magnetic core rotated, the magnetic field of passing shell made some developer mixtures 36 picked up and be transmitted as the layer 35 around case surface.
In above-mentioned illustrational embodiment, the article 22 that kept securely by retainer 21 are being positioned apart from cylinder 33 1 fixed range places or are moving through, and these article can contact or not contact the lip-deep developer mixture of cylinder.When the developing mixture that is transmitted arrived relative article 22, the electric field between shell and the article began to work.This electric field is set to and is better than the remaining electrostatic force that the imaging powder particle is remained to carrier particle surface.This makes some imaging powder be transferred on the surface of the article 22 that kept by static.Alternatively; Electric field can be the alternating electric field with constant bias; The power that imaging powder and carrier separating are opened consequently is provided, and has caused the net positive suction head power that makes the imaging powder attracted to article 22, this imaging powder is remained on the said article 22 by static.
In this embodiment, the quantity of powder coating can be by following controlling factors on the article: the relative velocity of size, article and the shell of the electric field between article and magnetic pulley 33 shells or article and shell are in the duration of relative position, the duration that applies electric field and the electrostatic charge on the powder.In the method, if said imaging powder is static insulation, the imaging powder is just remained on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet by static and can not fall.Article, width of cloth material or tablet can be treated to without any need for additional demand and just powder can be attached to or be fixed on the surface.
Alternatively, also can adopt the technology of utilize duplicating in the industry and the powder transfer workstation of design to come coated article, width of cloth material or tablet.Optional powders transfer printing workstation can comprise other cylinder toning system, and for example the Magnetic brush developer of different structure, fur brush development device and use contact-type frictional are given birth to electric charging method and made the charged single component cylinder developer of powder.Also can use without the developer of cylinder as main powder forwarder.These developers can comprise cascade developers, other gravity feeding developer, fluidized bed developer and powder cloud and mist developer.In each embodiment, the very approaching place of article, width of cloth material or tablet that generally needs charged powder to be brought to and will be coated, and set up electric field so that powder is responded to, thus move on the surface of article.
In some cases, optionally make the part surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet be coated with powder.For example, a side that can preferred coated article.In some cases, the dividing plate with one or more opening can be arranged near article, width of cloth material or the tablet, so that dividing plate optionally stops powder to be applied on the part of article, width of cloth material or tablet.In other cases, guard shield or dividing plate can be cut apart, and each segmentation is applied in different bias voltages, to produce required effect.
After powder is applied to article 22; Still be held at article and when device 21 keeps securely these article moved to imaging workstation 13; At this imaging workstation, article stand energy source, with local melting or the sintering that on article surface, obtains powder according to predetermined pattern or image.This can for example realize through laser imaging, in laser imaging, from light fusing or the sintered powder that laser instrument sends, makes powder particle fusing or sintering together and adhere to the specific region on the article surface.Therefore, laser energy density should be enough to melting powder or promote its temperature, so that particles fuse or sintering are together and stick on the surface of article.Can for example use the software of carrying out by standard personal computer or other industrial control unit (ICU) to come required picture pattern to be offered the laser inscription head with the form of bitmap.Can produce picture pattern through laser beam being modulated with deflection and being focused the laser beam in the lip-deep small light spot of article, width of cloth material or tablet, wherein, powder is positioned in this hot spot place.
Can use different imaging systems.In one embodiment, can use low relatively laser diode of power or diode array.In a further embodiment, can use fiber laser.Shown in Fig. 1 and 1A, can adopt pair of outer galvanometer 18 to produce XY deflection, and diode or diode array can directly be modulated.Alternatively, can use polygon prism to make light beam, and forwarder provide y deflection along directions X deflection by the rotation of motor driven.If desired, lens can provide and focus on and curvature correction, so that the non-planar surfaces approximate match of the plane of delineation and article.
Laser diode and fiber laser with power demand level (for example can be limited to certain wavelengths; Red or infrared); Make these laser diodes and fiber laser be applicable to and adopt black or some blue-green powder, adopt other color and be inappropriate for.Alternatively, can be blended in the powder, make energy be absorbed easily and can melt or sintering the material that is unstained of these wavelength sensitive.In these instances, the perceived color of powder can be the color that does not absorb optical maser wavelength.
In a further embodiment, imaging workstation 13 can comprise CO2 gas laser package 12.Gas laser package can be included in gas laser, power supply device, modulator, focusing optics and electric current deflection system in the single housing.The benefit of this assembly is that its laser that produces certain wavelength can be absorbed by the colourless or color powder of relative broad range, and it has higher power (for example, 30 watts), can satisfy higher speed.The deflection system of the reflection polygon prism that utilization is driven by high-speed motor even can obtain higher speed.In this case, the external beam modulator can use with the CO2 laser instrument.Also can use other laser imaging system.
In some applications, article, width of cloth material or tablet can be firmly held during imaging processing and transmit in turn and pass through imaging workstation.In these applications, the speed of article, width of cloth material or tablet and/or position can and be provided for laser control system by sensing, so that the action of laser instrument also correctly forms image synchronously.
Staying article 22 lip-deep not fusings or unsintered powder can multilated.In some situations, after imaging has been accomplished, possibly not the cosmetic variation that is easy to find out powder on the article surface.
After imaging has been accomplished; When article 22 still are held device 21 and keep securely; These article 22 are moved to powder removal station 41; At this powder removal station place; Fusing or unsintered powder (if any) are not removed by the surface from article, thereby stay the image of fusing or sintering from the teeth outwards.
Can use electrostatic force to remove the not fusing of powder or sintering part not from article.For example, according to certain embodiments, powder removal station 41 has a pair of cylinder 42 (referring to Fig. 4) of rotation one another in opposite directions.The article that are held the device maintenance are taken in the position near each cylinder continuously.Working voltage applies bias voltage to described cylinder, and said voltage has the opposite polarity polarity with article, width of cloth material or tablet, thereby between article and cylinder, sets up electric field.This can with the not fusing of powder or not sintering part move on the cylinder from the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.Cylinder can comprise the hairbrush that for example has artificial Conductive fiber.In this case, fiber should have certain degree of depth and easily arrive the whole coating depth of article to allow fiber, to remove any not fusing or unsintered powder.
The not fusing or the unsintered powder that are removed at powder removal station 41 places can be recycling in follow-up use.Can be through each brush being contacted with metal roller 43 and removes powder from mutually despun cylinder, said metal roller be applied in brush on the opposite bias voltage of bias polarity.In case powder is transferred to metal roller, just can remove powder by means of for example simple elastic scraper or metal blade 44.Then, powder can be repeated at powder transfer workstation 31 places to use.
In optional embodiment, powder removal station 41 comprises or the pair of magnetic cylinder that is suitable for rotating one another in opposite directions.In this system, can use with powder transfer process in the material of those materials similar of being adopted remove excessive powder.Can make mangneto on the cylinder activate that powder (for example, carrier) contacts with the surface of article 22 or the surface of close article.Make field inversion so that not fusing on the article surface or unsintered powder attracted to magnetic pulley and when magnetic pulley rotates the suppressed by vector powder pick up and away from article surface.Then, powder-carrier mixture separates on powder and the magnetic pulley so that powder transfer is made to the other series cylinder through another electric field is provided.As stated, then, powder can be recycled at powder transfer workstation 41 places again.
In another embodiment, can remove not fusing or unsintered powder through applying forced air or other gas.
In another embodiment, can remove not fusing or not sintered powder through applying vacuum or suction.
In many application, at imaging workstation 13 places, powder can be on the surface of article 22, width of cloth material or tablet by fusing or sintering fully, make that the powder of fusing or sintering is not that to adhere well to lip-deep possibility very little.Yet, in some applications, article, width of cloth material or tablet need be moved to the 4th workstation and penetrate fusing with the flash of light or the width of cloth that article, width of cloth material or the lip-deep powder of tablet are provided as after looking like.This flash of light or the width of cloth are penetrated the fusing workstation to be known and to be used in and to duplicate in the industry.
In the above-described embodiments, article 22 are applied in electrical bias, so that powder can be electrostatically transferred on the article.Retainer 21 makes bias voltage pass through conduction contact part 25.This technology can be used for the article of static conduction.For article, width of cloth material or the tablet of non-static conduction, the charging workstation can be set on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, produce electric charge.Under the sort of situation, ground plane should be set at the back of article, width of cloth material or tablet.For article, the contact portion 25 of retainer 21 or 27 can be used to realize this purpose.For width of cloth material and tablet, this purpose is realized in the width of cloth material that conducting element 15 contacts that can be through making cylinder shape for example, tabular or shoe-shaped and powder transfer workstation 31 are relative or the distally of tablet.Can be for example through the cylinder that is applied in bias voltage is contacted with article, width of cloth material or tablet, or through making the spaced apart certain distance of corona device and article, width of cloth material or tablet realize this charging workstation.
The image that on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, forms can comprise the image of one or more alphanumeric symbols, graphical symbol or other type.The image that is produced by powder can be monochromatic or polychrome.Under the situation of multicolor image, can use the powder of two or more different colours to repeat powder applied and be melted to the technology that removes not fusing or unsintered powder on the article and from article.In some cases, first kind of powder can be applied and be melted on the part or all of surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet, to form coating.Second powder that will have different colours then applies and is melted on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet to form image.
Surface for the ease of at article, width of cloth material or tablet produces multicolor image, and this device can comprise two or more sets workstations 31,13 and 41 (see figure 5)s that are provided with in turn.Therefore, for example, can be respectively at workstation 31A and 13A place the powder of first kind of color applied and fusing or sintering on the surface of article, width of cloth material or tablet.Can the not fusing or the unsintered powder of first kind of color be removed at powder removal station 41A place.Then, can be respectively workstation 31B and 13B place the powder of second kind of color is applied and fusing or the surface of sintering at article on.Can the not fusing or the unsintered powder of second kind of color be removed at the second powder removal station 41B place.
Can adopt said apparatus on article, to produce image with on-plane surface or irregular surface and plane surface.
Other embodiment is also included within the scope of claim.
Claims (6)
1. device that during thermal imaging is handled, keeps article securely, this device comprises:
Be suitable for and the contacted conduction contact part of said article; And
Around said contact portion setting and with the said contact portion and the conductive shields of isolating with said article electricity,
Wherein, utilize the voltage of first polarity that said conductive shields is applied bias voltage, and utilize the voltage of opposite polarity that said article are applied bias voltage.
2. device according to claim 1, wherein, said contact portion comprises the securing member of mechanical conductive.
3. device according to claim 2, wherein, the securing member of said mechanical conductive comprises bolt.
4. device according to claim 2, wherein, the securing member of said mechanical conductive comprises anchor clamps.
5. device according to claim 1, wherein, said contact portion comprises conductive elastomer.
6. device according to claim 1, said device also comprises pipe, said pipe is applied in vacuum, so that said article are held in place with respect to said contact portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US80006906P | 2006-05-12 | 2006-05-12 | |
US60/800,069 | 2006-05-12 |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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CN2007800240287A Division CN101479668B (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2007-05-10 | Device and method for using powders for marking objects, webs or sheets |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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CN102354092A true CN102354092A (en) | 2012-02-15 |
CN102354092B CN102354092B (en) | 2014-09-03 |
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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CN2007800240287A Expired - Fee Related CN101479668B (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2007-05-10 | Device and method for using powders for marking objects, webs or sheets |
CN201110328320.6A Expired - Fee Related CN102354092B (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2007-05-10 | Holder to securely hold an object during the thermal imaging processing period |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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CN2007800240287A Expired - Fee Related CN101479668B (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2007-05-10 | Device and method for using powders for marking objects, webs or sheets |
Country Status (8)
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US (2) | US8107673B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2021875B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5363313B2 (en) |
CN (2) | CN101479668B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007249341B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2651852C (en) |
RU (1) | RU2435184C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007134173A2 (en) |
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CN103831214A (en) * | 2012-11-26 | 2014-06-04 | 亿和精密工业(苏州)有限公司 | Coating jig |
CN106804106A (en) * | 2014-05-04 | 2017-06-06 | 亦欧普莱克斯公司 | Many material three-dimensional printers |
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RU2435184C2 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2011-11-27 | Марс, Инкорпорейтед | Using powder to create images on objects, belts or sheets |
CN105562306A (en) * | 2014-10-05 | 2016-05-11 | 时淑银 | Electrostatic spraying method |
JP2018520024A (en) | 2015-06-19 | 2018-07-26 | アプライド マテリアルズ インコーポレイテッドApplied Materials,Incorporated | Selective deposition of powders in additive manufacturing. |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN101479668A (en) | 2009-07-08 |
RU2008148947A (en) | 2010-06-20 |
JP5363313B2 (en) | 2013-12-11 |
AU2007249341A1 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
RU2435184C2 (en) | 2011-11-27 |
EP2021875A2 (en) | 2009-02-11 |
US8638980B2 (en) | 2014-01-28 |
AU2007249341B2 (en) | 2012-02-02 |
US20120092434A1 (en) | 2012-04-19 |
EP2021875B1 (en) | 2019-07-10 |
JP2009537035A (en) | 2009-10-22 |
CA2651852A1 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
CA2651852C (en) | 2016-08-16 |
US8107673B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 |
CN102354092B (en) | 2014-09-03 |
CN101479668B (en) | 2011-12-21 |
US20090304947A1 (en) | 2009-12-10 |
WO2007134173A2 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
EP2021875A4 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
WO2007134173A3 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
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